EVALUATION OF AN ADOLESCENT HEALTH PROMOTION PROGRAM IN SÃO PAULO STATE, BRAZIL.

Abstract

programs of adolescent health have been developed to provide the adolescent slight knowledge on the main problems to which they are exposed. OBJECTIVE: evaluate if the Adolescent Net, program for adolescent health implemented in São Paulo State, promotes the acquisition of knowledge in relation to specific questions of this phase of the life, propitiating practical changes of behavior and for the healthier. METHOD: cross-sectional study with adolescents involved with the Adolescent Net. We applied a self filled out questionnaire under orientation, defined after a validation test, with questions about use of drugs, sex life, knowledge on sexually transmissible illnesses, crime and violence, before and after their admissions at the program. To test changes in adolescents behavior we adopted McNemar test. RESULTS: 299 adolescent answered to the questionnaire and the average time of participation in the program was 12 months. After their enrolment in the program, the adolescents decreased the involvement with robberies and the use of drugs (p < 0,001), they had started to participate in volunteer programs (p < 0.001), increased their knowledge on contraceptive methods and sexually transmissible diseases (p < 0,001), and improved their behaviors in homes and community (p < 0,001). Also, they support the maintenance of the Adolescent Net, which they rate as excellent, and recommend it to the their friends. CONCLUSIONS: the participation in the Adolescent Net led to positive behavior changes of the participants and showed the importance of such program for the improvement of the conditions of life of the adolescents.